BJD urges Prime Minister to establish new IIT in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, May 15 (UNI) Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to direct the HRD Ministry for setting up of an IIT in Orissa to fulfil the long-standing demand of the state.

In a memorandum to the prime minister, several BJD legislators and leaders have expressed anguish over an HRD ministry's decision to establish IITs in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajhsthan during the 11th plan period.

The BJD leaders led by Bhubaneswar district president Prakash Chandra Bastia said though Orissa was witnessing massive industrialisation, the Centre never felt it to have institutes like IIT, IIM and Central University to groom skilled professionals.

He said although the Minister of state for HRD, M A Fatima, had promised that two Greenfield IITs would be set up in the backward districts of Orissa, the HRD ministry's recent announcement ignoring Orissa from having a top class institute was shocking.

The Orissa leaders appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and issue necessary direction to the HRD ministry for establishment at least one IIT here during the 11th plan period. They also staged a demonstration before the Raj Bhawan to protest alleged apathetic attitude of the Centre towards Higher Educational system of the state.

The leaders also called for a state-wide movement against the Centre and submitted a memorandum to Governor Rameswar Thakur expressing their strong discontentment against the Centre for neglecting the state in all spheres.

UNI